Peach tree named ‘SUMMER FIRE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Vigorous, upright tree growth.   2. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color.   3. Heavy and regular production of very large size fruit.   4. Firm, yellow fleshed fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit being relatively uniform in size throughout the tree.

Botanical designation: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘SUMMER FIRE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of peach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior varieties

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Zee Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,832), ‘Zee Diamond’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,673), ‘Vista’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,549), ‘Sunnirich’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,567) and our proprietary non-patented peach seedling selection ‘175LE265’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) was developed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as a first generation cross between ‘Zee Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,832) and our proprietary non-patented peach seedling selection ‘175LE265’. The pollen parent ‘175LE265’ peach (non-patented) originated as a first generation cross between ‘Zee Diamond’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,673) and ‘Vista’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,549). A large group of these first generation crosses were planted and maintained on their own root system, during which time we recognized the desirable fruit and tree characteristics of the present seedling and selected it in 1999 for further asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of peach tree is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of very large size, firm, yellow flesh, semi-clingstone fruit with good handling and shipping quality. The fruit is further characterized by having moderately juicy flesh, attractive red skin color and having very good eating quality. In comparison to its seed parent ‘Zee Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,832) the fruit of the new variety is semi-clingstone compared to freestone and is approximately 17 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to its pollen parent ‘175LE265’ peach (non-patented) the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and is approximately 30 days later in maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Sunnirich’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,567) the fruit of the new variety is approximately 8 days later in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 12 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 12 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and             width for economical harvesting of fruit. Varies with             different cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the             first growing season. Varies slightly with soil type,             fertility and cultural practices.         -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for desired market size. Number of fruit set             varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.         -   Bearer.—Regular, has had an adequate fruit set 11             consecutive years. No alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self fertile.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to             increase air movement and sunlight to the center of the tree             to enhance fruit color and health of fruit wood.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 900 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 40.6 cm at 20.3 cm above             ground on a 12 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 7/2 to 2.5Y 6/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 14.7 cm at 1.2 meters             above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with             heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 44 in a 25.8 sq cm section.             Average length 4.0 mm. Average width 1.6 mm. Color varies             from 7.5YR 6/8 to 7.5YR 5/10.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 5/8 with             10R 4/4 where exposed to the sun. Mature growth varies from             7.5YR 3/4 to 7.5YR 2/4, varies with age of growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 189.7 mm. Average width 51.2 mm.         -   Form.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface             relatively smooth, small ridges created by midrib and             pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 11.6 mm. Average width 1.7 mm.             Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies             from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 6/8.         -   Glands.—Reniform. Size — large. Average length 1.4 mm.             Average diameter 0.8 mm. Average number 2, varies from 2             to 3. Located primarily on base of leaf blade, upper portion             of petiole.         -   Stipules.—None present.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 2.5GY 3/2 to 5GY 2/4. Lower             surface varies from 5GY 5/2 to 5GY 4/2. Midvein color varies             from 2.5GY 7/2 to 2.5GY 7/4. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 19.1 mm. Average diameter 10.5             mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.2 mm. Average width 1.1 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 5/6.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 6/10 to 7.5RP 5/14. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Mar. 3, 2012. Date of             Petal Fall Mar. 14, 2012, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Small to medium. Average height 19.9 mm. Average             diameter 25.1 mm.         -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —             medium. Average length 15.5 mm. Average width 13.5 mm. Form             — obovate, cupped. Margin — sinuate. Both upper and lower             surfaces glabrous. Color varies from 7.5RP 6/10 to 7.5RP             6/12, fades with age of flower.         -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —             medium to large. Average length 6.3 mm. Average width             5.1 mm. Shape — ovate. Margin- entire. Surface — upper             surface glabrous, lower surface pubescent. Color — upper             surface varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 5/6. Lower surface             varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 7.5R 3/4.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 37, varies from 32 to 40.             Average filament length 16.2 mm. Filament color varies from             N 9.5/(white) to 7.5RP 5/8. Anther color varies from 7.5R             4/10 to 5Y 8/8.         -   Pollen.—Self-fertile. Color varies from 5Y 8.5/10 to 5Y 8/8.         -   Pistil.—Normally 1. Surface — pubescent. Average length             18.9 mm. Position of stigma average of 1.2 mm below anthers.             Color varies from 10Y 7/4 to 2.5GY 7/6.         -   Fragrance.—Wanting.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 6/10 to 7.5RP 6/12.         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.6 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/8. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 9, 2012.         -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 16, 2012, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Very large. Average diameter axially 71.0 mm. Average             transversely in suture plane 75.2 mm. Average weight 252.8             gram, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of             thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Suture.—Shallow, extends from base to apex.         -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.         -   Apex.—Nearly rounded.         -   Base.—Retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 4.3 mm. Average diameter 16.0 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 9.2 mm. Average             diameter 3.4 mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 5GY 6/6. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Good, holds firm on tree 10 days after maturity             (shipping ripe).         -   Aroma.—Moderate.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Flavor.—Very good.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Brix.—Average Brix 10.5°, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 7/8 to 10YR 7/10, slight bleeding             into flesh — 5R 3/10.         -   Pit cavity.—Average length 37.1 mm. Average width 29.4 mm.             Average depth 11.8 mm. Color varies from 5R 3/10 to 7.5R             3/10. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 8.5/8 to 2.5Y 8/6.             Overspread with 5R 4/8 to 7.5R 3/8.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—None. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi-clingstone.         -   Size.—Large. Average length 36.1 mm. Average width 28.4 mm.             Average thickness 21.6 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from rounded to             elongated.         -   Sides.—Unequal, with one side extending further from suture             plane.         -   Ridges.—Small ridges extending from base toward apex.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 5R 3/6 to 7.5R 2/8 when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 18.8 mm. Average width 12.5 mm.             Average depth 6.4 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 10YR 6/8 to 2.5Y 9/4. -   Use:     -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage at 38° to 42° F.     for 2 weeks without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss     of flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh     during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection     observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal     fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and     eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica), substantially as illustrated and described. 